Sanctity of Life

• Intrinsic Value


  Something has value for its own sake
• Sanctity of Life


  Belief that life is holy and infinitely precious
• Quality of Life


  The capacity for self fulfilment and the possession of dignity in life
• 'God created man in his own image' 


  Imago dei
• genesis 2:7


  'breathed into his nostrils the breath of life'
• what does the strong sanctity of life say

  all humans have an absolute right to life that must never be taken away e.g. abortion and euthanasia
• what Christian denomination follows the strong sanctity of life

  catholic
• what is the weak sanctity of life


  all human life is sacred, but not absolutely so
• what does the weak sanctity of life take into account

  the situation
• what is an example of when the weak principle would not preserve life

  • in exceptional circumstances, life saving or preserving treatment can be withdrawn
  • when quality of life would make it more agapeistic
• how does the strong principle view human life

  it begins at conception
• why does the strong principle say life begins at conception 


  at the point of firtilisation, a new life comes into existence

  it has a complete genetic blueprint
• how does the catechism support the strong principles view on human life

  'human life must be respected and protected absolutely from conception'
• why does the strong principle reject embryo research

  • it exploits the embryo - no consent
  • destruction of embryos is tantamount to murder
• what are the positives of the sanctity of life

  • promotes respect for human life
  • encourages protection of vulnerable
  • true to teaching of Jesus
• what are the negatives of the sanctity of life

  • ignores modern science which states humans are evolved from animals
  • it promotes anthropocentric view of universe - devalues animals
  • views on abortion promote patriarchal view of society - women do not have equal rights
  • strong form can seem unloving